Jahream Bula #269

[bigsiro]

I think your assessment under the high ball is completely wrong . What short memories we all have ? Remember Thompson , Daine Laurie ? Mbye ? Moltzen even at times ? Bula defensively is not the issue he’s great . In fact I’d put him much much higher in the “best fullback in the comp”
List defensively … I think it’s Edward’s…. Then daylight then Teddy … more daylight ..: then Weeks and Bula …. Then the rest however you want . Attack … well yea .its been a slow start … but he’s a good footy player he will come good .
I will agree re. The fullback production line. I think much like the running back in nfl it’s a vital position . But you can get yourself in all kinds of mischief if you overpay for the wrong player … especially with the production line , as most zippy fast halves who don’t have the size to defend in the line are converted to fullback by thier teens .

My issue with the Laurie/Mbye comparison isn't memory - it's relevance. We never rated those guys, so they're a low bar. IMO the gap between Bula and the better fullbacks right now in overall play is bigger than the gap between Bula and that group. That's the concern.

And look, I'll take your word that his defensive positioning is solid - but that actually cuts both ways. If you believe that his defense is already a strength, then the ceiling debate is really about his attack, and that's where year 4 starts to matter. Walsh, Tedesco, even Hammer - by this stage their attacking influence was already settled. With Bula we are all still waiting for it to click consistently.

Nobody is calling him a scapegoat either - fans were raising these questions even after we won our first game this year, so it's not just frustration talking.

He's clearly a talented player and he looks like he should be great - nobody is denying that. But potential doesn't win games today and as Tigers fans we probably know better than most how dangerous it is to let expectations run ahead of reality. Hopefully year 4 is where it all clicks for him - genuinely. But until it does, measured expectations seem reasonable.

 

[Bellend]

You’re entitled to your opinion ,… I don’t know why others would get angry about it ..personally I don’t agree with all your rankings but list 15 things about anything into three different groups and unlikely two people here will think the same across the board

Most punters want a Slater type footballer, but that is not always guaranteed, is there improvement let in Bula's game yes there is but how much does he want it?? His current asking price is not worth it and yes i know it is the market and agent driven that is behind it but my answer still would be good luck.

 

[Lestronge]

My issue with the Laurie/Mbye comparison isn't memory - it's relevance. We never rated those guys, so they're a low bar. IMO the gap between Bula and the better fullbacks right now in overall play is bigger than the gap between Bula and that group. That's the concern.

And look, I'll take your word that his defensive positioning is solid - but that actually cuts both ways. If you believe that his defense is already a strength, then the ceiling debate is really about his attack, and that's where year 4 starts to matter. Walsh, Tedesco, even Hammer - by this stage their attacking influence was already settled. With Bula we are all still waiting for it to click consistently.

Nobody is calling him a scapegoat either - fans were raising these questions even after we won our first game this year, so it's not just frustration talking.

He's clearly a talented player and he looks like he should be great - nobody is denying that. But potential doesn't win games today and as Tigers fans we probably know better than most how dangerous it is to let expectations run ahead of reality. Hopefully year 4 is where it all clicks for him - genuinely. But until it does, measured expectations seem reasonable.

Mate all of that isn’t what I’m talking about. it’s constructive , admittance of fact both filled with praise and critique . It’s an objective view . My issues is not people like you . It’s the other 5 pages of bullshit honestly from the usual suspects.
Guys whoever admittedly on here , never played a game in their life . I find that frustrating with the level of toxicity . And I was gonna say lack of empathy … but that seems obvious to me why they lack empathy . I agree , he should be levelling up when we are talking about giving him a million , which is why I’ve repeatedly Said the best option is to take up the 2027 option and kick the can down the road .
It buys 18 months , allows for stability , and allows Attard and Brooke’s the time . Attard definitely has “It” , he’s too young and too small , which means he drifts in and out as he he develops his motor, football acumen , and skill level . 2 solid years holding up the 1 for the magpies should have him smashing down the door come the end of next year .
Same for Brooke’s . You also have the Harold Matt’s 1 at wests who looks like he could be anything . And Lanyon on the wing for magpies SG ball looks to be an amazing backs prospect .. but I digress … I think a 900k contract … basically a prove it year has to be the only option … despite the pressure Isaac is applying because he wants to get paid . Screw that guy !

 

[Lestronge]

Most punters want a Slater type footballer, but that is not always guaranteed, is there improvement let in Bula's game yes there is but how much does he want it?? His current asking price is not worth it and yes i know it is the market and agent driven that is behind it but my answer still would be good luck.

Like I said .. I really don’t know why we don’t just take up the option . It’s not like we give a shit about Isaac Moses anyway . Godinet is way too young to be bending over backwards for Isaac for . And Sukkar is a loyal tigers boy , so I can’t see him going anywhere as long as a top 30 role is available for him .

 

[Betterdays22]

Deservedly so...?

Far from our worst on the weekend

Led the team on run metres, pcms, no mistakes, only player in the backline who looked remotely threatening with the ball.

being the best is of a bad bunch is obviously no great thing, but he is coming in for disproportionate criticism (probably because of all the contract stuff going on behind the scenes)

 

[Tom Shines]

Most punters want a Slater type footballer, but that is not always guaranteed, is there improvement let in Bula's game yes there is but how much does he want it?? His current asking price is not worth it and yes i know it is the market and agent driven that is behind it but my answer still would be good luck.

Slater is like the best fullback in the past 20 years … we would all like he next one of him …

I don’t know about Bula man … I liked him a lot, but starting to reconsider that … and I’m not just talking about him deliberately playing poor to get out the club , before anyone brings up that conspiracy theory …it’s something that goes back a while now ..

I just not sure he is the right style of player for us, and I think the money rumoured to be offered is overs

 

[Bellend]

Slater is like the best fullback in the past 20 years … we would all like he next one of him …

I don’t know about Bula man … I liked him a lot, but starting to reconsider that … and I’m not just talking about him deliberately playing poor to get out the club , before anyone brings up that conspiracy theory …it’s something that goes back a while now ..

I just not sure he is the right style of player for us, and I think the money rumoured to be offered is overs

Yes it is the main thing that i do not like about Bula.

 

[Bellend]

Like I said .. I really don’t know why we don’t just take up the option . It’s not like we give a shit about Isaac Moses anyway . Godinet is way too young to be bending over backwards for Isaac for . And Sukkar is a loyal tigers boy , so I can’t see him going anywhere as long as a top 30 role is available for him .

Maybe it is the Moses conspiracy that is causing this problem.

 

[Oscar Martinez]

At this stage can anyone on here honestly say they watch our games and expect Bula to create something out of nothing, the way 15 other fullbacks in the comp. do?
Did anyone expect him to come up with the winning play on Saturday when he was needed?
He's not a spine player, he can't create, throw him in the centres , the wing, or piss him off.
We'll never go anywhere with him weighing the team down.

 

[Oscar Martinez]

I ranked them the other day

First - Walsh, Edwards Tedesco
Second - Ponga, Turbo, Hammer, Drinkwater, Sua
Third - Tracy, Bula, Kennedy, Iongi, Kini, CNK, Weakes

Don’t think that’s far off the mark. If Ponga was consistent he’d be first tier. And I think Sua will be by the end of the year. I don’t see Bula as any better than the others in his tier. Does he have the potential? Maybe, but he’s getting to the point in his career where what you see is what you get. He definitely is not equal to anyone in the second tier.

If we look at that list every one of them apart from Bula will create an opportunity out of nothing, except for our guy who only joins set plays. That's why I say he's either a centre or a winger if we keep him.
You 100 per cent can't win a comp. without a fullback that's top tier, and Bula will NEVER be a top tier independent threat. It's not in his DNA to play that way.

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

I ranked them the other day

First - Walsh, Edwards Tedesco
Second - Ponga, Turbo, Hammer, Drinkwater, Sua
Third - Tracy, Bula, Kennedy, Iongi, Kini, CNK, Weakes

Don’t think that’s far off the mark. If Ponga was consistent he’d be first tier. And I think Sua will be by the end of the year. I don’t see Bula as any better than the others in his tier. Does he have the potential? Maybe, but he’s getting to the point in his career where what you see is what you get. He definitely is not equal to anyone in the second tier.

And even with those on the 3rd tier they are capable of game breaking moments which Bula doesn't seem to do. Look at Tracey with his defence on the weekend, or how many times Weekes has used his speed to just simply create something out of nothing. I like Bula, he's a good kid but for mine he does not have the personality to be a full back at the moment. He just seems like he plays too within himself, not commanding or vocal enough.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

At this stage can anyone on here honestly say they watch our games and expect Bula to create something out of nothing, the way 15 other fullbacks in the comp. do?
Did anyone expect him to come up with the winning play on Saturday when he was needed?
He's not a spine player, he can't create, throw him in the centres , the wing, or piss him off.
We'll never go anywhere with him weighing the team down.

It's getting very frustrating now isn't it, the time to stand and deliver is urgently upon him or his unjustified inflated asking price will start to deteriorate.

Love to know what the rumoured dogs offer is, don't care about the dragons offer, even he wouldn't be dumb enough to head over to that joint.

 

[Vicious]

It's getting very frustrating now isn't it, the time to stand and deliver is urgently upon him or his unjustified inflated asking price will start to deteriorate.

Love to know what the rumoured dogs offer is, don't care about the dragons offer, even he wouldn't be dumb enough to head over to that joint.

Shane Flanagan and Cameron Ciraldo both like players who play with high energy and run the ball hard.
Not sure Jahream fits into their desired player criteria and there is no way possible either of them are offering him a long term deal on big money.
I reckon we could lowball him and get him for 600k if we wanted to.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Shane Flanagan and Cameron Ciraldo both like players who play with high energy and run the ball hard.
Not sure Jahream fits into their desired player criteria.
I reckon we could lowball him and get him for 600k if we wanted to.

Well, that scenario would leave him chasing the money at Perth, if that's the case onya bike Leroy, money chasers aren't very good for culture, smells of me first not the team first if that's his main interest.